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I THE INAUGURATION 






SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIEES. 



Lexing^ton Avenue, cor. 51st St., New- York, I , , 

I II 



5 



MAY 3, 18 G2; 

WITH THE ADDRESS OF HIS HONOR THE MAYOR, AND OF 
OTHERS, DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION. 



< NEW YORK : 

J. H. DUYCKINCK, PRIN^TER AND STATIONTIR, \ 

^ > 

164 PEARL STREET. I 

— i 

18G2. < 

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THE INAUGURATION 



K^ V'-L^DIES' HOJVIE 



FOR 



SICK AND AVOUNDED SOLDIERS, 

Liexln^tuii Avenue, cor. 51st Strecl, NewVork, 

MAY 2, 1863 : 
WITH THE ADDKEISS OK HIS HONOR THE MAYOR, AND OF OTHERS, 

« 

DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION. 



NEW-VOKK : 

JOHN n. DUVCKINCK, .STATIONEJl AiND ITvliNTEK. 

164 ]'EARL STREET. 

1802. 









a 



Boarb of ?Dircctov5. 



MRS. OPDYKE, President. 

MRS. CHAXCEli^OR FERRIS, Vice rrosident. 

MRS. VALKN'Elk;^ MUTT, First Directress. 

MRS. ED WD. V:A^"DERP0EL, Second Directress. 

MISS FELLOWS, Third Directress. 

MRS. A. v.- STOUT, Treasurer. 

MRS. M. B. DWIGHT, Secretary. 



lllcliical 5taff. 

CONSULTING IMI YSIC! ANS. CONSULTING SaRGKONS. 

JOSEPH M. SMITH, M. D. VALEN'TIXE MOTT, M. D. 

AUSTIN FLI>fT, M. D. ALEX. H. STEVENS, M. D. 

EDWD. VAXDERPOEL, M. D. RICHD. SATTERLEE, M. D., U. S. A. 



ALEX. B. MOTT, M. D., 

SURGKON TO TIIK IIOMK AND MKiUCAL DIRECTOR. 

BEXJ. F. McCREADY, M. D., JOHN J. CRANE, M. D., 

ATTENDING PliVSHiAN. ATTENDING SrRGKON. 



JOHN ,....„., , T,, . . ,c 

• House Fbysiciuus aud Surgeons. 



JOHN W. ROBIE, M. D., ) 

ALFRED E. M. PURDY, M. D., ) 



^ 



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INAUGURATION 



ol.' TIIK 



"^V^tJii^ilieil J';Dli(lier^.. 



TiiK fonnal openlaj; •>'' tlio '• Ladii-o' Iiomk for Si mc and 
Wounded Soldieii>^,'' lociited ou the corner of Lexing'toii Ave- 
nue and 5lst Street, took place May 2, 1SG2, in the presence of 
a laro-e nnniber of ladies, the Mayor and Common Council, and 
many of our prominent citizens. The exercises were held in the 
htro-e iiall on the second floor, whicli was decorated witli ilags. 
()\er the i)iarform at one end of the room was suspended, with 
outstretched wings, a tine specimen of tlie ximerican eagle. 

National airs were performed by the Band of the Elgiith Co., 
National Cuard, gratuitously fuvni<lied hy them for the oc- 
casion. 

Mayor Oi-dyke presided, and in opening the exercises said : 

Ladies and Gentlemen : 

The occasion that has brought us togetlier is one of deep inte- 
rest. The ladies, ever foremost in good works, have' litted up 
this spacious building for the reception and treatment of disa- 
bled soldiers; and they have invited us to join them to-day in 
formally dedicating it to that beneficent purpose, under the 
name of tlie " Ladies^ Home fok Sick and Wounded Soldiers." 
The name is fitly chosen, and most suggestive. Its simple utter- 
ance to tlie war-worn sufferers for whom it is intended, must 
revive their spirits and alleviate their pains; for, as sons, bro- 
thers or huslxmds, all of them have siiared, and can, therefore, 
appreciate the sympathy and tender care of the gentler sex. At 
the promise of siicli an asylum, their eyes will brighten and their 



pnlse.3 qnldcen ; for they will know that from the moment they 
enter its threshold, they will exchnn^'e the rude treatment (W 
iron-handed war for the comforts of home and the tender carc^ 
of woman. Xor need they fear tliat there will he any failure 
to keep the promise iuiplied in the invitiui;- name which the 
ladies have given to theii" hospital. It will he to its iuuuites 
emphatieally a IlomA\ with every appliance for the alleviation 
of their sniferings that skill ami earnest sympathy can suggest. 
The l)nildlng itself is a model of its class, and admirahly adaj)t- 
ed to the purpose to which it is now to he applied. The wai'ds 
are large and well ventilated. The}' have heen thoroughly 
cleansed, and litted up with appropriate furniture and excellent 
hedding. The surgical and medical staff endiraces the hest 
|)rofessional skill in tlie city. The nurses will also he the hcst of 
tlieir class, and, better than all, the ladies themselves, or at least 
a portion of them, will he in constant attendance, to iid'use into 
the hearts of others a share of that devotion with which tlu^y 
apply themselves to this beneficent work. Their efforts could 
not be employed in a nobler cause. Those for whose welfare 
tliey are laborini>; richlv merit all that can be done in their 
behalf At their country s call they })romptly repaired to th.e 
theatre of war, voluntarily, and without a moment's hesitation, 
exchanging the enjoyments of home for the privations of camp 
and the dangers of the battle-tield. They did not stop to count 
the cost. They knew that our cherished Union and its gl.n-ious 
emblem had been assailed by traitors, and with an unselhsh 
patriotisip, worthy of all honor, they instantly rallied to theii' 
rescue. And right nobly are they performing tlieir heroic mis- 
sion. The infamous rebellion, as we all hope and believe, is 
well nigh suppressed. But in the accomplishment of this, many 
of our gallant volmi'teers are returning, disabled by disease or 
Wounds. These demand our special care. We cannot too Ixuiu- 
tifully provide for the wants of such brave but unfortunate de- 
fenders, and I am sure you will all rejoice with me in the oppor- 
tunity of sharing in this laudable etfort to restore them to health 
and happiness. 



His Honor, the Mayor, tlieu introduced Chancellor Ferris, 
wlio said ill substance, that he had been requested by the ladies 
engao-ed in this good work, to submit their views and ])laiis in 
conducting their new undertaking, and he with pleasure yielded 
to their wishes, and felt himself highly honored by tlieir request. 

ITe said this association grew out of a feeling of (knqt interest 
in the condition of the l)rave men, wIk. were battling for the 
government at the risk of tlie loss of health, ot life and liml) ; they 
had made great sacritices already, and would be subjected to 
many more. For the comf )rt and relief of the sick and wound- 
ed among our noble volunteers, was this hoiME ])repared ; and 
the ladies interested in it, animated hy a truly chi-istian and 
])atriotic spirit, are pledged not only to give to the sufferers such 
care as their bodily ailments recjuii-e, Imt to afford them the con- 
solation of religion in the way they desire. Christian charity 
is catholic — the ladies are of \arious religious denominations, 
but having brothejs, sons and husbands in the Yolunteer Union 
army, they are united in tlieir desire to relieve the sick and 
wounded soldier. The government is doing all in its ])Ower by 
liberal jirovision for hospital attention, but, hovve\ er large or ex- 
tended, it must lack necessarily the tenderness and nursino' 
which the hand of wonmn in the home circle alone can exercise. 
This institution is not merely a IIo-<^j)ital, hut a '-^Tlome^'' where 
the stricken and the sick will have tiiose to care for them M'ho 
will be the re})resentatives of the loved ones whom thej- left 
behind, Avheii at their country's call they hastened ti> the seat 
of war. 

• 

For the use of this building, so admirably suited to meet their 
benevolent purposes, the ladies are indebted to the Common 
Council, and his Honor, the IMayor. The medical staff eno-a^'ed 
consists of some of our best physicians and surgeons, and to Dr. 
Satterlee, President of the Board, they are indebted for much 
valuable aid and counsel, as well as his personal co-operation. 
And now, what patriotic heart Avill not say, God speed to this 
enterprize — and t'rom how many home circles in every part of 
this and our sister states, will there not go up thanks to God for 
the kindness which will here be shown to those thev love? Yes, 



the blessing of ITim m'Iio went abont doing good will abide nn- 
der rtns roof. 

Tlie ladies believe it to be only necessary to state the fact, 
that this insiitntion is dependent for its maintenance on the 
liberalit}' of onr citizens, to secnre their hearty co-operations ; 
and they solicit also the aid of the ladies generally, of the City of 
Xew-York and el-ewhere, to assist them in eveiy possible way 
to carry on this work of mercy ; and provide as far as in their 
power, such comforts as will tend to restore the sick to liealth, 
and heal the wounds of their brave defenders. 

Portions of Scripture were then read by the Rev. Dr. (ju.- 
LETTE ; approju'iate addresses were made by the Rev. Dr. ]»[^oop- 
MxYN, Mr. Briggs, and President King, of Cobnnbia College, 
whose short speech was received Avith entlmsiastic applause. 
After which Ceneral Pobeet Anderson was introduced, who 
read tlie following letter from Commissary General Wp:Lcn. 

Commissary General's Office, 

New- York May 1, 1862. 
Mrs. George Opdyke, 

Pre.V'lmt of tlie " Lad'ies Home for Sick and Wounded Soldiers.'''' 

Madam: — I have the honor of tendering on the })art of the 
State, for the ac(;eptaiice of your association, the national flag 
which accompanies this note, with the request that it may be 
permitted to wave over the building devoted by you to the care 
and convalescence of sick and wounded soldiers, regretting 
meanwhile, that official engagements will deprive me' of the 
pleasure of attending the opening ceremonies to-morrow. 

In thus asking your acceptance of this slight testimonial (^f 
the public regard, I may be pardoned for adding that the objects 
of your association are every where applauded, and that your 
humane and self-sacrificing labors will again illustrate l)ow ex- 
alted is the mission of v^oman, "when pain and anguish wring 
the brow.'' 

With sentiment of profound respect, your very humble and 

obedient servant, 

BENJ. WELCH, Jr., 

Commissary General 



General ANDERbON said he would not attempt to make a 
speech, because it was not his duty. His heart was with them 
on that glorious occasion, and in the noble work in which they 
were engaged. God would bless them. In tlie discharge of 
their duties, he exhorted them to go cheerfully on. They could 
not be engaged in a l)etter cause. At the conclusion of the pre- 
sent rebellion, they would be a better and more united nation 
than ever before. Tiiis wuv had been brought upon us by our own 
wickedness, and it would be concluded when that God whom we 
had offended would become appeased. lie had no bitter feel- 
ings against our brethren of the South. He would thank God 
when, at the conclusion of the present contest, they would be- 
come united as brothers again. 

The flag then presented through the Seventy-lirst Regiment, 
I^ew-York State' Militia, was received by the venerable Dr. 
Yalentine Mott, in the following patriotic address : 

Gentlemen and Soi.dieks : 

It might seem more proper for the.^e ladles to respond to your 
noble sentiments, but delicacy and a commendable diffidence 
have induced them to select the present speaker to reply. 1 
fear, liowever, that in tlsoir selection diffidence has not been 
altogether avoided, nor al)ility completely secured ; lor the task 
is to me c^uite new, and so delicate, that I acknowledge I ap- 
proach it with great sensiti\eness. 

I cannot expect, it is true, fully to express the extent of their 
gratitude, or their liigh sense of the honor conferred upon them 
in thus placing the emblem of their country's glory over this 
home of the sick nnd vrouiuled soldier— yet I know that tliough 
my words may be feeble, the sjnrit of generous patriotism whicli 
glows in your bosoms, and your pity for the brave men who 
have incurred Avounds and death in defending the honor of this 
flag, will interpret my words with increased power. 

The ladies accept your beautifid flag, and tender you their 
sincere thanks. It bears oui- national colors in all their pristine 
integrity unmutilatcd— the "' held '' is as blue as the heavens 
above us— and the '^ stars" are as bright as those that shine 



down upon us through our clear American sky — while the 
"stripes" are rosy and white as the early dawn that ushers in 
the bright and vernal day. 

Again, the hidies tliaiik you. with tlic warmth of their eiitliu- 
siastic nature, aud trust that the work of mercy which its ample 
i'olds protect, will prove more grateful to your loyal hearts, than 
any acknowledgment their high a])preciation of your precious 
gift could dictate. 

"When froedoiii from lier mountain lieight 

Unfurled her standard to the air, 
She tore the azure robe of niglit 

And set the stars of glory there ; 
She mingled with its gorgeous dyes 

The milky baldric of the skies, 
And striped its pure celestial white 

With the streaking? of the morning light." 

.And now, gentlemen, permit me to express my own feelings 
on this interesting occasion. AVhen man desires to know what is 
noble, what is generous, pure, just and holy — to woman he evei' 
turns. It is her palpitating heart, that nerves his brawny arm. 
For her protection and his country's honor, he girds the soldier's 
armor on, and, when wearied and woi'u by the toilsome march 
or deadly struggle with the foe, lie sinks on the cold earth to 
rest his weary limbs — dreams of home, sweet home, steal upon 
his sleeping senses, and again he mingles with family and 
friends — again li^^teus to the sih'nt footfall of woman, and the 
artless ])i'att]e of childhood. If wounded, some woman's luime 
leaps to his lips, and, as his life Hows out, while the mists of death 
gather around him — her form shines down upon him from the 
])ortentous cloud, undinnned in all its original Ijrightness. It is 
}>roper, then, that woman should lead in this lal)or of love. 

" Oh ! woman, in our hours of ease, 
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please ; 
"WMieu pain and anguish wring the brow, 
A ministering angel — thou." 

It was Woman avIio bathed the feet of the houseless Wanderer 
with her tears, and dried them with her hair: AVomen were the 



9 

last at the cross, and first at the tomb ; and it was when Women 
mourned their dead, that Jesus wept. 

For eighty years, this flag has waved over every sea and every 
land. Beneath its broad folds, Washington fought, and Warren 
fell. Franklin, and Jefferson, and Hamilton, lived and flourish- 
ed under its protecti(in. Jackson, Bainbridge, and Decatur, 
served under it, and illuminated it with a blaze of glory. 

With myself all the most tender associations of my native 
land, cluster around it. Under its shadows, I have traversed 
not only the civilized countries of Europe, but the regions of 
the barbaric East. The turbaned Turk owned its sway, and 
the wild Arab felt its power. It was a talisman among the poor 
Greeks, and imperial Rome acknowledged the symbol. In 
France, it was a recommendation, and in England a protection. 
How then, O emblem of my country's renown, could there be 
found a parricide wicked enough to lift his arm against thee, 
and with profane hand deface thy glory I What blot had come 
upon thy fair fame, that any new and strange device should be 
introduced among thy folds :; Bird of my country, what infat- 
uated hand has peirced thy breast, with an arrow feathered from 
thine own wing i 

Soldiers, — the city of Xew-York will not be found forgetful of 
her defenders ; under the stars and stripes you have fouo-ht and 
bled, and here shall that banner float lovingly and peacefnlly 
over your place <^f rest. ISTo hostile shell will explode within 
these walls, devastating these wards with fire and death. ]^o 
howling projectile will invade these sacred precincts. Here is 
the abode of peace — here love and tenderness will come, to 
smooth your pillow with their soft and delicate hand. Here 
hope will attend to cheer you with the prospects of a brio-hter 
day. Here pity will weep over your wounds, while mercy seeks 
to alleviate your woes. Here patriotism will proclaim your noble 
deeds, while history writes down the record on her lasting tablet • 
and if death come — as come at times he must, and sit by the fire- 
side with his feet upon the hearth — your country will crown the 
pale King with laurels, and surnjimd him with a halo of glory. 



10 

" For to the hero when his sword 
Has won the battle for the free, 

His voice sounds like a prophet's word, 
And in its hollow tones are heard 

The thnnks of inillioiis yet to be." 

Tins flag shall be placed over our hospital ; your comrades in 
arms luive borue the sacred emblem through the sulphurous 
clouds of war ; amidst a tempest of bullets and the din of arms, 
it has been victoriously planted on the strongholds of the trai- 
torous hordes, who would rob it of its bright renown, and on- 
ward, still triumphant in its course, shall it be carried by our 
uoble Volunteers, until amid the roar of Artillery, the thunder 
of battle, and the shoutings of the Captains, it is restored to the 
proud place it has ever held among the flags of nations. It is 
right our brave soldiers should here repose, in the " Home," 
which their countrywomen have provided for them. 

Henceforth, then, let these stars proclaim, that, this is the " Sol- 
dier's Home," and let them rest — above it — even as the Star of 
Bethlehem came and stood over the place where the Prince of 
Peace was born ; and when the-eyeof the wounded soldier, faint 
and drooping, sees this bright constellation, he will know that 
his services are remembered, and that our patriotism loves 
and honors and protects his \'alor. 

" Flag of mercy and of hope, 
Each soldier's eye shall brightly turn 
To where thy sky-born glories burn." 

At the request of the Mayor, the audience rose and united in 
singing the Star Spangled Banner, Alderman Dayton leading. 

The ceremonies were closed by a dedicatory prayer by the 
Hey. Dr. Hutton, and a benediction pronounced by the Rev. 
Dr. Houghton. 



013 744 360 



